The Power And Possibility Of the Present

“…but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press towards the mark …” Philippians 3:13 Dear Ones: What does an older soldier of the faith tell those who are younger who will be taking up the mantle, carrying on the testimony…

The Imperative Of Rejoicing

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4 Dear Ones: There is a monumental difference between “trying” to be happy, or joyful, and “rejoicing in the Lord.”  Why?  It all boils down to this: one attitude and action is based entirely upon FAITH, the other is not.  What do we mean…

The Psalmist’s Song

“I will sing unto the Lord as long as Iive: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.” Psalm 104:33 Dear Ones: The psalms are to a great extent, songs…songs which are sung in praise and worship of God, or of the experience of men before God, born in the great…

Effective Fervent Prayer

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7 Dear Ones: What characterized the prayer life of Elijah?  From what James tells us in his epistle, it was one of effectiveness, and with great fervor, earnestness.  We might…

Stability In Times Of Crisis

“He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keeps thee will not slumber.” Psalm 121:3 Dear Ones: Christianity is not a “system of thought” of wishful thinking.  It is not a philosophy in and of itself, and yet it is philosophical in that it presents to us a manner of thought that…

He Shall Glorify Me

“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me.” John 15:26 Dear Ones: Palm Sunday is a day when we remember the “triumphal entrance” of Jesus into Jerusalem, riding on the back of a…

The Name Of God

“What is His name?  What shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, ‘I AM THAT I AM.”  Exodus 3:14 Dear Ones: What is in a name?  It’s significance and meaning depends upon the one who is the bearer of it.  In the case of God revealing Himself to Moses, and consequently to…

Under His Wings

“….and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” Ruth 2:12 Dear Ones: The book of Ruth is a picture of the heart of God.  It is true that there is a love story found in its pages, between Boaz and Ruth, but…

Created For Communion

“Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am…” John 17:24 Dear Ones: It has been said that the Gospel of John is deep enough for an elephant to bathe in, and shallow enough for a child to play.  Why such a contrast?  What is the underlying…

To Destroy Or To Save

“For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” Luke 9:56 Dear Ones: It was when Jesus had set his face to go up to Jerusalem, knowing that the time was near for him to be “…received up,” that He was rejected by a certain village in Samaria. …